cursinart

Okay guys, so I'll make this simple. I've been thinking about buying an RX8 due to sometimes requiring the rear seats. Obviously the twin turbo RX7 is faster so I started looking at what I would need to get the car to where I want it.

I did a bit of looking around on the net and found that you can't really get a great deal of power with these as they're 1.3L engines.

I haven't seen anyone come up 300+ KW's until I decided to search the Australian Car Sales website for someone that's selling one they've already turbo charged (mainly to see what his/her results were).

Now one car did come up, it's a 2005 model RX8, has a turbo installed and he states (and you can check if you like) that his RX8 with next to no upgrades (apart from his turbo kit) is making 300KW's. (I stress I'm talking KW's here NOT HP). I also rang the guys phone number that was listed and asked if he had dyno papers to prove it.. apparently he did and lost them - which I find even more sus as if I got a 1.3L engine pulling those numbers I'd frame it and hang it on the wall.

Do you think he is a liar or is it possible to pull those kind of numbers with a 1.3L rotary engine? My R33 GTR only made a sensible 325kw's and it's a 2.6L twin turbo engine (so you can see why I slightly doubt this).

I've tried searching "300kw RX8" on google, youtube etc etc without any results. So before I go ahead and purchase one thinking I could get those kind of numbers out of it, I thought I'd ask people that know this particular car very well. Thanks in advance.

jasonrxeight

anything is possible but god knows how long the engine will last pushing 400hp.
as for the displacement, the rotary engine is twice as efficient when it comes to combustion per rotation compare to piston engines.
the 1.3L twin rotary is equivalent to a 2.6L 4 cylinder engine when it comes to combustion efficiency.
I remember back in the days Honda made a 1.6L turbo engine for their F1 car that puts out 600hp, it was one tough engine surely.

cursinart

My R33 GTR was 6 cylinders. Anyway, I have done a bit more research and I do see there are actually some turbo kits claiming to get you 300kw's. I'm very surprised. I may actually go ahead and purchase an RX8 after all.

jasonrxeight

with the Rensis 13B-MSP engine, its a lot harder to mod compare to the RX7 13B-REW engine also less reliable.
also the transmission is not strong enough to handle that kinda power.
if you gonna mod, I suggest get a good RX7, or keep the RX8 stock and enjoy the handling.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The limitations on power from these engines is NOT simply because of the displacement. 1.3L RX-7s can break into 400-500+ wHP in ways that the 1.3L RX-8 can not. You have to understand the fundamental differences between the two engines. The RX-8's power level is limited by the size of the exhaust ports, and the fact that you can't enlarge them. And as you push more and more power through them, the exhaust port heat levels climb too far too fast, compromising the side seal springs until the side seal clips the exhaust port and boom goes your engine. Any power increase from pushing more air and fuel in will have a direct impact on the life of your engine is a very negative way. (not sure how to word that. Exhaust system improvements and drivetrain loss reductions don't contribute to exhaust port heat) The more power you get, the shorter it's life expectancy. End of story.

So, whether or not the guy is lying is largely beside the point. Even if it's actually true, it's going to be a serious money pit with fairly regular engine replacements.

cursinart

Yeah well I need the rear seats and the few RX7's with rear seats, well they may aswell not have them with the space in there. Trying to stay away from Evo and Subaru - and don't want another GTR.

As for enjoying the car for it's handling, you could do that with most cars after spending a few K on suspension (teins etc). I really need to find someone that's put a turbokit on an RX8 and had it for a few years to see what their opinion is.

I've read a few comments from a youtube video someone posted which has a 400HP turbo RX8 and the comments are from people asking is he has had any problems and he states that one client has had the kit installed for 4 years and nothing has gone wrong yet.

But then again, he is selling the product and probably wouldn't say anything bad about it anyway.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I highlighted the critical word in your post. It's only a claim.

It's certainly possible. I'm not saying it isn't. There have been TWO forum members to get there. I assume there are more that aren't members. But two out of...how many tens of thousands?

And both of those two went through many engines to get there. MM (now banned due to other stuff) has blown at least 10 engines trying to get to the 400whp mark. I don't know the exact count for Esmirl, but it was more than 4 I believe.

And there is a serious note of warning that none of the kit sellers will tell you. NO kit is complete. Every single "kit" is just a basic starting point, usually with lots of incorrect parts. There is serious and major customization work required for EVERY "kit" out there.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Note, if you are serious about wanting to get an RX-8 and wanting to turbocharge it, to ANY power level over N/A, go to the Major Horsepower Upgrades subforum (where this thread should have been created), and start reading build threads. Take a look through the "overboosted overlords" thread, for people all excited to join, joining, and then going back to NA or selling the car.

Don't buy an RX-8 until after you have done your research...

cursinart

That's why I'm online at 2am in the morning. Researching, at first it seemed like a good idea but now I think my only option is to go with an RX7 and put up with it being a two seater. Or see if I can get an RX7 engine converted to an RX8 engine bay. (which will be a waste of money due to weight differences of the body).

Or hell, just find another ride. It's a real shame, I love the interior of the RX8. And some of the bodykits seem nice too, like one from veilside.

Oh well, thanks for your information.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Swapping an FD engine into an RX-8 is certainly a possibility. It's far more viable than any other engine swap (like an LS), and quite a few have been done. The RX-8 is also only ~200lbs heavier than the RX-7. You would be able to increase the power like any FD at that point, and hit your mark. In the US, you would need to have a budget of at least $15,000.

3-rotor swap is also possible, but with a budget starting at $20,000. (LOTS of custom work).

cursinart

Well money isn't the issue. I just really like the interior and style of the RX8. I've had a lot of cars in my time, Integra Type R, Skyline GTR, Toyota Supra. However I'm looking for something a little newer in terms of looks. As they're now all older kinds of cars. I took an RX8 for a test drive and was very impressed... minus the performance. That's why I started looking into turbokits etc etc..

Anyway.. back to the drawing board for me. Running out of ideas, and as I said I'm not interested in Evo's or Subaru STi's as every man and his dog owns one. I guess the RX7 isn't such a bad car. I'm looking more in that direction now..

I'll just have to deal with how fragile they are..

Anyway, thanks again.

jasonrxeight

honestly, 232hp can get you in trouble just enough. why do you need more? be a good driver > having a fast car.

Are-Ex-Eight

iTrader: (1)

Someone wants to street race...or making up for other lacking areas...or just want to really zoom zoom.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

That's like saying, why do you need a car that has over 100 hp. I wonder more how he deals with the speed cameras.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

In my personal opinion, you simply can't use > 400whp (pistons) or >300whp (rotary) on the street without severely dangerous and/or severely illegal driving.

In the curves, more power just makes it more and more retardedly dangerous, and you are still "partial throttling" significantly. In the straight, you can't get more than a couple seconds of full throttle acceleration.

I'm not saying that it's impossible to have, but if you take someone that daily drives their 1,000whp Supra and someone that daily drives thair 300whp RX-7, they are both using about the same amount of power on average over the course of a day, even assuming crossing the line into speeding up to ~20mph over, etc...

More power is simply wasted on the street. ENTIRELY wasted. The only reasons I have ever seen given for having that much power on the street is basically "because I want to street race other cars, even if briefly".

And the OP IS looking for a car with back seats, which usually isn't a desired option for the track.